Meet
Dr. Melinda Lacerna
Award-Winning Facial Surgeon in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL and published author
meet
Dr. Melinda Lacerna
Award-Winning Facial Surgeon in Bradenton, FL and published author
The Face Specialist
Double Board-Certified
Facial Plastic Surgeon
As the inventor of the Plasma LYFT and Plasma Browlift, her pioneering techniques have transformed the field of aesthetic surgery, earning her global recognition. Surgeons from around the world visit her center to learn and observe her innovative methods, which are soon to be featured in leading medical journals.
More About
Dr. Melinda Lacerna
Biography & Education
- 20+ years of surgical experience
- Focus on facial rejuvenation and plasma energy
- Certified in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Board Certifications
- Board Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2006
- Board Certified in General Surgery, 2004
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- Florida Medical License: ME 109505
Trademark Innovations
seminar and webinar
Dr. Lacerna is an invited speaker and faculty member at leading aesthetic surgery meetings around the world. Highlights include:
- Beauty Through Science Congress 2025, Stockholm Featured speaker presenting her work on combining deep plane facelifts with plasma resurfacing. Selected as a top three finalist for the Best Facial Surgical Rejuvenation award.
- Renuvion Summit 2025, Tampa Keynote speaker and faculty member presenting advanced plasma applications in facial rejuvenation.
- ISAPS World Congress 2024, Cartagena Invited faculty for multiple sessions on browlifting, plasma resurfacing and facelift innovation.
- The Aesthetic Meeting 2024, Vancouver Presenter on deep plasma resurfacing and facelift integration.
- Korean Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Meeting 2024, Seoul Keynote speaker on deep plane facelifts and plasma resurfacing.
- Renuvion International Webinar 2024 Broadcast in five countries and three languages, sharing her plasma resurfacing protocols.
- PSTM 2024, San Diego Presenter of a top ranked abstract selected from more than 800 submissions.
Accolades & Contributions
- Winner, Best Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Enhancement, The Aesthetic Awards 2025
- Winner, Best Overall Patient Enhancement, The Aesthetic Awards 2025
- Winner, Best Surgical Result, Beauty Through Science Awards 2025, Stockholm
- Winner, Best Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Enhancement, The Aesthetic Awards 2025
- Winner, Best Overall Patient Enhancement, The Aesthetic Awards 2025
- Winner, Best Surgical Result, Beauty Through Science Awards 2025, Stockholm
- Winner, Best Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Enhancement, The Aesthetic Awards 2024
- Winner, Best Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Enhancement, The Aesthetic Awards 2023
- Gold Medal Winner, Best Face Presentation, ISAPS World Congress 2023, Athens
- Published innovator in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum for her Plasma Browlift technique
- Author of Chapter 46 in Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery, 9th Edition
- Editor in Chief of The SKIN Guide, Aesthetic Dermatology for Plastic Surgeons, scheduled for publication in 2026
- Contributor to multiple upcoming book chapters on plasma resurfacing, micro core technology, threads and RF skin tightening
- Principal Investigator for IRB approved studies on plasma resurfacing and facial rejuvenation
- Featured medical expert on ABC 7 Suncoast News
- Featured expert in the Daily Mail (opens in a new tab) (October 2026), commenting on Jennifer Lawrence’s rumored cosmetic tweaks
- Featured expert in the Daily Mail (opens in a new tab) (October 2026), commenting on Candice Swanepoel’s rumored plastic surgery
- Featured expert in the Daily Mail (opens in a new tab) (November 2026), commenting on celebrity couples rumored to have had matching cosmetic procedures
Professional Memberships
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- Member, The Aesthetic Society
- Member, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
- Member, American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Key Achievements at a Glance
- Inventor of the trademarked Plasma LYFT and Plasma Browlift techniques
- More than 1000 facelift procedures performed
- Multiple time Aesthetic Awards winner for facial rejuvenation
- Gold Medal recipient at the ISAPS World Congress
- Invited global educator and keynote speaker across Europe, Asia and the Americas
- Published author in leading aesthetic surgery journals
- Editor in Chief of a major upcoming textbook on aesthetic dermatology
- Key Opinion Leader for industry leading companies including Renuvion, InMode, Cytrellis, AlumierMD and others
- Principal Investigator for clinical studies on plasma resurfacing and regenerative techniques
Publications and Editorial Work
- Can Deep Plasma Resurfacing and Facelifts Be Performed Together?, Plastic Surgery Practice
- Enhanced Healing and Outcomes With Human Dermal Fibroblast Exosomes: Case Series Combining Deep Helium RF Plasma Skin Resurfacing, Facelifts and Exosomes, Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2026)
- The SKIN Guide: Aesthetic Dermatology for Plastic Surgeons, Editor in Chief (2026)
- Plasma Skin Resurfacing, Chapter Author, multiple medical textbooks (2026)
- Plasma Resurfacing with Face and Necklifts, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2025)
- Enhanced Healing with Exosomes, Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2025)
- Helium Plasma RF Browlift, Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum (2025)
- Non Invasive Treatments for Fitzpatrick IV–VI, PRS Open Forum (2025)
- Histological Effects of Helium Plasma RF, PRS Open Forum (2025)
- Plasma Resurfacing with Facelifts, PRS Global Open (2024)
- Helium Plasma Dermal Resurfacing Guidelines, Dermatological Reviews (2020)
- Lymphatic Mapping in Breast Cancer, American Surgeon (2007)
- Gigantomastia Reduction Techniques, Annals of Plastic Surgery (2005)
- Splenic Artery Embolization in ITP, Journal of Pediatric Surgery (2005)
- Autonomic Dysreflexia Surgical Considerations, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine (1997)
- Les Fleurs de La Chateau, Cover Art, The Kaiser Permanente Journal (2006)
- Noninvasive Cosmetic Treatments for Fitzpatrick IV–VI: A Narrative Review of Safety and Efficacy Guidelines
- Can Deep Plasma Resurfacing and Facelifts Be Performed Together?
On-Demand Webinar
PlazMagik + Plastic Surgery
In this exclusive educational presentation, Dr. Melinda Lacerna shares how she integrates PlazMagik into her practice — clinical insights, treatment techniques, and before-and-after case studies.
Accolades
2024 ISPRES
Annual Congress
Setting Standards in Plastic Surgery
2024 Aesthetics
Award Winning
"Best Surgical Facial Rejuvenation"
Facial Renewal
Webinar
"Invited Keynote
Speaker"
ISAPS
2024
Keynote Speaker - Global Plastic Surgery
The Artistry Of Injectables
Renowned Faculty
Member
Invited Speaker
APS 2024
International Plastic Surgery Conference
Best Surgical Facial Enhancement
National Award
Winner
Plasma LYFT Gold Medal
Gold Medal for Innovative Techniques
2024 ISPRES
Annual Congress
Setting Standards in Plastic Surgery
2024 Aesthetics
Award Winning
Setting Standards in Plastic Surgery
Facial Renewal
Webinar
Setting Standards in Plastic Surgery
ISAPS
2024
Keynote Speaker - Global Plastic Surgery
The Artistry Of Injectables
Renowned Faculty
Member
Invited Speaker
APS 2024
International Plastic Surgery Conference
National Award
Winner
Best Surgical Facial Enhancement
2025 Aesthetics
Award Winning
Best Overall Patient
Enhancement
2025 Aesthetics
Award Winning
Best Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Enhancement
Plasma LYFT Gold Medal
Gold Medal for Innovative Techniques
"I believe in blending artistry, innovation, and compassion to help my patients look and feel their absolute best. True confidence comes from within, and my goal is to help every patient bring that confidence to the surface."
– Dr. Melinda Lacerna
Dr. Melinda Lacerna
The Mastermind Behind the Plasma LYFT Facelift™
Surgeons nationwide seek Dr. Lacerna’s expertise in the Plasma LYFT facelift™ and Plasma Browlift™, traveling to her clinic to learn the technique that’s setting new standards in facelifts and changing the face of rejuvenation.
One on One with
Bradenton's Top Face Surgeon
THEY TREAT YOU LIKE
FAMILY
Dr. Lacerna and LA Plastic Surgery is as good as it gets! From the moment you walk into this practice, you're treated like family. Before, during, and after, Dr. Lacerna and her team's ...attention to detail, pride in work, and absolute expertise is guaranteed to impress. If you're in the market for any procedure big or small, do yourself a favor and visit this practice first and become a client for life.
Read moreDr. Lacerna 

is the BEST
Dr I have never had any sort of work done before so I was very nervous, but she made everything feel so comfortable and talked me through everything I needed to know before ... during and after!!
Read moreI Highly
recommend them
Dr. Lacerna did an amazing job on my surgery and made sure I was 100% satisfied with the follow-up appointments. The staff is always friendly and professional. I would highly recommend ...LA Plastic Surgery.
Read moreDr. Lacerna
explained everything
"As a 68-year-old woman, I have never had fillers or anything done before. I disliked the lines above my lips and around my mouth. Went to 4 other plastic surgery offices for consults ...I was thinking of CO2 lasers but worried about changing skin color and the monkey look I have seen many times. Dr. Lacerna was honest and explained that she considers lasers to be old technology. She suggested Renuvion resurfacing, which uses radiofrequency to split helium into cool plasma beams. She showed me before and after pictures."
Read moreFemale doctor who knows what women want and need
"I went to South Florida but since I live in North Florida, decided to ..."I went to South Florida but since I live in North Florida, decided to choose Dr. Melinda. It was a great choice. 2. Female doctor and knows what women want and need. 3. Great beautiful practice, medical team very professional and supportive. Thank you Dr. Melinda Lacerna! Highly recommend!"
Read moreExtremely please with my results
Dr. Lacerna and her staff are consummate professionals! I am extremely pleased with the results of my surgery. She and her staff are especially empathetic and patient! I am ...a physician and it is without hesitation that I recommend Dr. Lacerna and her staff."
Read moreMade me
feel at home
Fantastic service and results. I came from out of state for a cosmetic procedure and Dr. Lacerna and her staff made me feel at home. I was most pleased with her knowledge of the ... scientific literature behind the procedures and explaining which procedure was right for me based on my skin. Highly recommend."
Read more
